Albertsons tapped to debut DoorDash express grocery delivery

DoorDash has enlisted retail partner Albertsons Cos. for the launch of express grocery delivery service, in which customers receive their orders in 30 minutes or less.

Safeway, Vons, Acme Markets, Jewel-Osco, Tom Thumb and other Albertsons Cos. supermarkets are now offering DoorDash express grocery delivery in more than 20 major cities, including Los Angeles, Denver and Seattle, San Francisco-based DoorDash said Thursday. Plans call for DoorDash to roll out the rapid delivery service — accessed through the DoorDash mobile app — to more Albertsons Cos. grocery store banners in the coming weeks.

For DoorDash express grocery delivery, Albertsons Cos. stores will offer an assortment of over 6,000 items, ranging from center-store groceries and snacks to perishables such as frozen foods, fresh produce, dairy products and eggs. DoorDash noted that Albertsons Cos. customers enrolled in the grocer’s Just for U loyalty program also can link their account to the DoorDash app to earn loyalty points on express grocery delivery purchases, as well as take advantage of loyalty pricing and promotions.

“By partnering with DoorDash, Albertsons Cos. is able to offer even faster delivery to go alongside the quality products and great value we provide our customers,” Stephen Menaquale, senior vice president of e-commerce at Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos., said in a statement. “We’re proud of what we’ve built with DoorDash in order to guarantee the perfect mix of convenience, quality and the prices our customers appreciate.”

Related:DoorDash launches 15-minute grocery delivery in NYC

Safeway and other Albertsons Cos. supermarket customers access the express grocery delivery service through the DoorDash app or online marketplace.

To place an express grocery delivery order, Albertsons Cos. customers search for “rapid grocery” stores to find participating locations on the DoorDash app or go online and click the “grocery” tile on the DoorDash website and select the filter for “under 30 min.” delivery service. DoorDash said Albertsons Cos. supermarkets are available on DashPass, its subscription program that offers members no delivery fees and reduced service fees from thousands of grocery, convenience and retail stores and restaurants nationwide. Those benefits are available to DashPass members on eligible Albertsons Cos. express grocery orders with a subtotal of $12 or more.

The express delivery launch expands DoorDash’s eight-month-old partnership with Albertsons. Last June, the companies announced that DoorDash would provide last-mile grocery delivery from nearly 2,000 Albertsons Cos. stores, with more than 40,000 products available via the DoorDash online marketplace and app, including fresh and prepared foods, grocery, floral and convenience items. That was followed up in September with Albertsons becoming the first grocery retailer to launch DoorDash’s DoubleDash service, which enables customers to add items from nearby merchants to their original order without being charged an extra delivery fee or subject to an order minimum. Albertsons customers, too, can get alcohol delivery via DoorDash.

Related:Albertsons tapped to pilot DoorDash DoubleDash

“We know that speed, selection and affordability remain paramount for consumers when it comes to getting everything in their neighborhood delivered on-demand, and that’s why we’re proud to launch our new express grocery delivery service with Albertsons to bring their wide selection of groceries to consumers’ doorsteps in under 30 minutes,” stated Fuad Hannon, vice president of new verticals at DoorDash.

The nation’s second-largest supermarket operator, Albertsons Cos. has 2,278 stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under more than 20 banners, such as Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, Carrs, Kings Food Markets and Balducci's Food Lovers Market.

“Leveraging our extensive logistics network and Albertsons Cos.’ selection of groceries, we are creating a one-stop shop for consumers nationwide to access all the items they need, delivered to their doorstep right when they need it,” Hannon commented. “DoorDash’s merchant-first approach guides how we build our products and services, and today’s launch of express grocery delivery furthers our commitment to helping Albertsons grow their delivery offerings to meet evolving customer needs.”

In December, DoorDash jumped into the “ultra-fast” grocery delivery arena by offering delivery service in 15 minutes or less through a new DashMart in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. More New York City locations are planned for the service, DoorDash said. DashMarts were introduced in 2020 as virtual one-stop shops offering essential products on demand, and they now carry over 2,000 items, including fresh and frozen grocery staples, snacks, household goods and local products.

DoorDash said it has applied research on ultra-fast delivery to the rollout of express grocery delivery. According to the company, consumers are using fast grocery delivery service in planning their week’s meals, cooking dinner, ingredient purchases when preparing dishes, and for midweek or nightly “top-ups.” Popular express items include bananas, dairy, eggs and fresh produce such as avocados, limes, cucumbers, tomatoes, green onions, cilantro and lettuce. Customers place most fast-delivery grocery orders on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays — with Sunday evenings the most popular time frame — and 44% of orders occur between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.